Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2019 Grant Slate

ABOUT NFWFThe National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) protects and restores our nation’s fish and wild-life and their habitats. Created by Congress in 1984, NFWF directs public conservation dollars to the most pressing environmental needs and matches those invest-ments with private funds. Learn more at www.nfwf.org

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 1133 15th Street NWSuite 1000Washington, DC 20005 202-857-0166

NFWF CONTACTSMichelle PicoProgram Director, Marine Conservationmichelle.pico@nfwf.org262-567-0601

Ashleyann Perez-RiveraCoordinator, Marine and Coastal Conservationashleyann.perez-rivera@nfwf.org202-595-2614

PARTNER

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced a 2019 round of funding for Coral Reef Conservation Fund projects. Fourteen new grants totaling $1,428,016 were awarded, leveraging $964,562 in grantee matching contributions to generate a total conservation impact of $2,392,578.

The Coral Reef Conservation Fund seeks to provide catalytic funding for innovation in management and science, and foundational capacity at the local level, both domestically and abroad. The 2019 project slate addresses two key categories for coral reef conservation domestically and/or internationally 1) Targeted Watershed Planning and Runoff Abatement; and 2) Increasing Capacity for Coral Reef and Reef Fish Management.

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Fish and corals in the Florida Keys

Evaluating Sediment Mitigation in Faga’alu, American SamoaGrantee: San Diego State University Research FoundationGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,212Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $83,985Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$167,197Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of sediment mitigation activities in Faga’alu Watershed, American Samoa. The project will combine existing data sets with fieldwork to quantify the impact of mitigation on sediment load, sediment sources based on geochemical composition, and benthic cover at a priority coral reef site.

Implementing Green Infrastructure Solutions in the Faga’alu and Vatia Watersheds, American SamoaGrantee: Ridge to ReefsGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85,400Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$170,400Implement three green infrastructure projects across two priority watersheds; Vatia and Faga’alu in American Samoa. Project will train the watershed coordinator and local partners in restoration site selection, design and implementation to focus on reduction of nutrients from pig farms and septic systems, and of sediment associated with a quarry.

Managing Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Threat in the Caribbean (FL)Grantee: Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries InstituteGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $27,000Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$107,000Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Inc. will improve management capacity for disease detection, monitoring and communications across the Caribbean. Project will host a workshop for Caribbean Marine Protected Area managers to

train on early response options to the disease that is spreading from Florida to across the Caribbean.

Expanding Stream Gulch Restoration Actions to Improve Coral Reef Health in Wahikuli, West MauiGrantee: The Coral Reef AllianceGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $85,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $91,875Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$176,875Address land-based pollution from sedimentation using best management practices recommended by the Stream Restoration Knowledge Sharing Group in West Maui. Project will install 30 practices to address erosion, stabilize sediment and increase the infiltration of storm water to improving coral reef health.

Implementing a Storm water Management Plan in the Pohakea Watershed (HI)Grantee: Maui Nui Marine Resource CouncilGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $93,141Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$138,141Identify management strategies for storm water-related sources of pollution such as sediments, nutrients, pathogens, and other chemicals currently being transported within Pohakea watershed. Project will monitor water quality and erosion with the County of Maui and private landowners to mitigate land-based sources of pollution and reduce pollutant inputs to important reef systems.

Decreasing Sedimentation of Priority Coral Reefs through Fire Risk Reduction in South Kohala (HI)Grantee: Hawaii Wildfire Management OrganizationGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $79,909Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $79,909Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$159,818Reduce the threat of erosion and sedimentation of coral

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Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2019 Grant Slate

Fish and corals off Hawaii

reef ecosystems by developing comprehensive wildfire planning and ignition risk reduction for the entire region of South Kohala, Hawai‘i. Project will implement recommendations from the Pelekane Bay Watershed Management Plan, Wai‘ula‘ula Watershed Management Plan, and South Kohala Conservation Action Plan.

Mapping Coral Reef Vulnerability to Design a Resilient Managed Area Network (HI)Grantee: SymbioSeasGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60,000Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$140,000Assess vulnerability of coral reef habitat in the Main Hawaiian Islands to inform ongoing prioritization process for state managers. Project will assess changes in coral reef conditions to determine vulnerability to projected environmental stressors and develop resilience indicators that will help focus future investments.

Evaluating Watersheds for Regional Decision Making in North Kihei (HI)Grantee: U.S. Geological SurveyGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $97,414Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80,000Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$177,414U.S. Geological Survey will measure and model fine sediment production from hill slopes in North Kihei’s lower and middle watershed areas impacting priority coral reefs. Project will collect and analyze the amount of sediment observed in storm water discharges, and the amount of sediment in nearshore waters to synthesize data on water quality and coral reef health.

Decrease Sedimentation in Honokowai Watershed in West Maui to Benefit Nearshore Coral Reefs (HI)Grantee: Ridge to ReefsGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $105,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $109,500Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$214,500Convene expert round-table to complete 70 percent design for Honolowai Dam #8 in West Maui Honolowai watershed. Project will reduce nutrient and sediment pollution into the nearshore environment.

Identifying Coral Reef Restoration Priorities in Puerto Rico Based on Resilience FactorsGrantee: Marine Applied Research CenterGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $79,930Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80,000Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$159,930Generate information on spatial variation in the resilience and vulnerability of the coral reefs in Puerto Rico to rising environmental stressors. Project will develop maps that

represent resilience, vulnerability, and opportunities for restoration and recovery to help prioritize conservation efforts.

Guanica Treatment Wetlands and Stormwater Wetland DesignGrantee: Ridge to ReefsGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$0Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,000Design and build 6 to 10 acres of treatment wetlands to address the largest single nitrogen source to Guanica Bay. Project will also design an additional 2 acres of wetlands to address town runoff entering the site.

Enhancing Enforcement Capacity for Coral Reef Management in Saba, St . Eustatius & MontserratGrantee: MPA Enforcement InternationalGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $47,700Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $47,700Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $95,400Increase enforcement capacity for coral conservation in the Caribbean. Project will provide an enforcement assessment for Saba to identify critical gaps and conduct enforcement training for enforcement and management staff in the countries of Saba, St Eustatius and Montserrat.

Improving Management of South Water Caye Marine Reserve through Technology-based Solutions (Belize)Grantee: Wildlife Conservation SocietyGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,922Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,922Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$119,844Utilize a spatial monitoring and reporting tool to improve biodiversity protection and sustainable livelihoods across the South Water Caye Marine Reserve in Belize. Project will assess management performance, build management capacity, promote compliance among fishers, and strengthen engagement of users in the Reserve.

Expanding Coral Reef Conservation to New Islands in Eastern IndonesiaGrantee: Indonesia Locally Managed Marine Area FoundationGrant Award:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000Matching Funds: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,000Total Amount: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $90,000Create new networks of Locally Managed Marine Areas in Yapen and Numfor, Indonesia. Project will solidify capacity at 44 currently networked communities in order to direct resources into the new island communities of Yapen and Numfor conserving more than 200,000 hectares of coral reef into conservation.

Coral Reef Conservation Fund 2019 Grant Slate